Authorities say man threw firework at police

A Wisconsin man was accused of throwing a firework at police after locking himself in a bathroom stall in a Wadsworth McDonald's, according to the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

Justin Koch, 24, of Plymouth, was charged with felony aggravated battery to a police officer and misdemeanor charges of aggravated assault and disorderly conduct, the sheriff's office said in a news release.

At about 5:30 p.m. Friday, Lake County deputies responded to a call of a person locked in a bathroom stall at the BP gas station/McDonald's on Route 41 in Wadsworth.

After Koch did not respond to the deputies, officers partially kicked open a panel of the stall door, the release said. Deputies could see Koch was blocking the door, "slouched over and unresponsive," authorities said.

When police tried to force their way in, Koch tried to keep them out, according the release. There were three bangs and "a flash of light" from within the stall, authorities said. Deputies evacuated the gas station and McDonald's.

After the tactical response team arrived and began negotiating, Koch surrendered, authorities said.

Koch allegedly told police he had thrown a lit firework at the deputies because he was scared.

Koch is free on $200,000 bail, according to Amanda Groeller of the Lake County Jail. He is due in court April 1, according to Cynthia Trujillo Vargas, spokeswoman for the Lake County sheriff.